Ball Chain Connection Apparatus

Abstract

A ball-shaped mechanism for connecting two ends of a ball chain. The mechanism is formed of two ball halves that may be separated to receive two link members and then secured together to hold the link members in place. Each of the ball halves has two opposing slots that are sized and shaped to receive a link member. When the two ball halves are brought together along their respective equatorial planes, the respective slots form pockets that secure link member ends within the ball-shaped connection mechanism.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 ) A chain connection apparatus, comprising:
 a first ball half having a spherical exterior surface and an equatorial plane;   a second ball half having a spherical exterior surface and an equatorial plane;   said equatorial plane on said first ball half comprising a first slot and a second slot, each of said first and second slots having an enlargement-receiving section that are sized and shaped to receive substantially half the height of an enlargement provided on a link member;   said equatorial plane on said second ball half comprising a first slot and a second slot, each of said first and second slots having an enlargement-receiving section that are sized and shaped to receive substantially half the height of an enlargement provided on a link member;   whereby said first slot on said first ball half aligns with said first slot on said second ball half to form a first pocket that is sized and shaped to receive an enlargement on a link member and said second slot on said first ball half aligns with said second slot on said second ball half to form a second pocket that is sized and shaped to receive an enlargement on a link member.   
     
     
         2 ) The chain connection apparatus of  claim 1 , whereby said first slot on said first ball half is disposed substantially diametrically opposed from said second slot on said first ball half. 
     
     
         3 ) The chain connection apparatus of  claim 1 , whereby said first slot on said second ball half is disposed substantially diametrically opposed from said second slot on said second ball half. 
     
     
         4 ) The chain connection apparatus of  claim 1 , whereby said first slot and said second slot on said first ball half further comprise a shaft receiving section, said shaft-receiving section comprising a grooved area that is sized and shaped to receive a segment of a shaft on a link member, and said first slot and said second slot on said second ball half further comprise a shaft receiving section, said shaft-receiving section comprising a grooved area that is sized and shaped to receive a segment of a shaft on a link member. 
     
     
         5 ) The chain connection apparatus of  claim 4  whereby said shaft receiving sections of said first and second slots on said first ball half align with said shaft receiving sections of said first and second slots on said second ball half to form respective first and second apertures. 
     
     
         6 ) The chain connection apparatus of  claim 5 , whereby an enlargement of a first link member is held in said first pocket and an enlargement of a second link member is held in said second pocket whereby a shaft of said first link member projects out of said first aperture and a shaft of said second link member projects out of a said second aperture. 
     
     
         7 ) The chain connection apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a channel disposed between said spherical exterior surface of said first ball half and said equatorial plane of said first ball half, whereby said screw has an opening on each of said spherical exterior surface and said equatorial plane. 
     
     
         8 ) The chain connection apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising a screw hole on said second ball half, said screw hole opening on said equatorial plane on said second ball half and extending into a segment of a thickness of said second ball half. 
     
     
         9 ) The chain connection apparatus of  claim 8 , whereby said channel on said first ball half aligns with said screw hole on said second ball half when said first equatorial plane is brought into contact with said second equatorial plane to form a continuous hole. 
     
     
         10 ) The chain connection apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising a screw threaded through said continuous hole.